Closure device and method of manufacture

ABSTRACT

A closure for enclosing a flexible container that may contain any type of product. The closure is composed of a collar element that surrounds the flexible container and can have one of several projections extending therefrom. The open end of the flexible container is compressed by use of an apparatus once a desired product is contained therein. The compressing apparatus contains two mateable die elements that, when engaged with each other, form an annular cavity or socket that surrounds the flexible container. Molten thermoplastic material is then injected via an inlet port to surround the flexible container and harden to form a collar.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to an improved closure device for enclosing one or both ends of a bag made of tubular flexible material. The closure may then have one of several different shaped protrusions extending therefrom.

[0002] There are many different applications that require a secure closure to seal off an end of a flexible container. For example hardware such as nuts, bolts, screws, etc. and many different food products are often packaged in flexible bags and sealed off at one or both ends to secure the contents while in transport and provide secure packaging.

[0003] Various meat products are often encased in nettings, casings, or other similar material for the freezing or smoking or processing thereof. In order to process or freeze such products, the netting material has to be able to be maintained in a hanging position for extended periods of time. Additionally, the product often requires that it be able to be easily and securely maintained while being transported in the hanging position as for example to or while in a smoke house, cooler or pack room.

[0004] Previous fasteners used for enclosing meat products have been made of metal clips. The metal clips presented a problem in that often metal fragments and shavings from the clips ended up in the food product. Additionally, metal clips cost about one to two cents to manufacture, which adds significant cost to the meat processing. The string loops were often attached to the metal clips and this presented a problem in that the string loops would often break or loosen under the weight of containing heavy pieces of meats or other food products. Additionally, because the hanging trees positioned in transportation vehicles are subject to constant movement, the string loops are also subject to great amounts of movement. This often leads to the loop breaking or shearing in response to the great amount of swinging movement while in transit.

[0005] Previous casings for meat products have been typically made of elongated tubes of any one of many different casing materials that have been rolled around central core packages and then packaged. A desired product is stuffed into the tubular casing via a pump and stuffing horn. Once the product has been stuffed, the casing material is tied off at the desired length of the open end. The ends of the filled casing packages previously have been closed off with metal clips or other such similar fasteners. The use of these enclosures has been problematic with the casings because metal clips can frequently tear the casing package.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a closure for use with food products as well as a variety of other products that securely encloses the flexible containers that contain the products in a secure yet economical manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved closure device for securely closing off one or both ends of a flexible container. One of many different attachments may then be connected to the closure to that serve several different purposes.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a closure device is provided for enclosing any open end of a flexible container. The flexible container can take the form of a bag made of flexible tubular material. The device comprises a collar which encircles, and closes a compressed neck of the bag, and may optionally contain an outwardly projecting member that protrudes from the collar. The collar can be one of several different shapes if desired. The collar has an outer diameter and an inner surface that is located at a distance from the outer diameter that is integrally connected to the bag so that there are no void spaces between the inner surface of the closure and the flexible container. Additionally, the collar is formed of a flowable thermoplastic material. The closure may serve to seal the end of a flexible container that contains some product within it. Alternatively, the closure may serve as a seal to one end of a flexible container while the other end remains open. This configuration would allow for the flexible containers with a closure on one end to be sold as empty containers. A purchaser would then be able to purchase the container, fill it as desired and then close the open end with either another closure device or alternatively by any other desired means.

[0009] The projecting member can be one of several different shaped members including a loop to be used to hang the enclosed product from a hanging tree or other hanging type apparatus or can be shaped of larger dimensions in order to be used as a handle element for transportation by hand of the enclosed product. The handle element can be of any general shape that allows a person to carry the enclosed meat product with ease and comfort.

[0010] Alternatively, the closure device may contain one of a variety of differently shaped collars. The collar may be merely a continuously shaped annular ring collar. Alternatively, the collar may be a cylindrical body with an annular flange extending therefrom. This shape allows for the flanged end to be easily grabbed by automatic closure removal equipment. Also, the collar may have a semi toroidal shape resembling a torus that has been bisected on its mid-plane. This configuration prevents the closure from abrading the outer barrier sealed bag without compromising the packaging and therefore allowing meat juice to escape, thus preventing “leakers.” The collar may also be sealed at its outward end across the neck of the flexible container. One skilled in the art will recognize that this is not an exhaustive list of the possible shapes that the collar may take. The shape may be varied according to particular applications where the device is used.

[0011] The present invention possesses several advantages over the prior art closures. First, because the closure is made of polymeric material rather than metal clips, it eliminates the possibility of any metal fragments and shavings from the clip from ending up in the contained product. Particularly in applications where the contained product is a food product, this can be a great advantage because there is no likelihood of any dangerous shavings or metal fragments getting co-mingled with the food products and injuring an unsuspecting person. Additionally, because the present enclosure is formed of polymeric material rather than metal, there is a significant reduction in the cost of materials by more than 75%. While the metal clips can cost up to a couple of pennies to manufacture, the polymeric collars cost mere fractions of a penny and therefore are more economical. Moreover, because the closure is integrally molded to the flexible container, the closure is more secure. It takes a great amount of force to separate the closure from the bag and therefore the chances of the closure slipping off are virtually eliminated. Finally, when the attachment of the hanging loop is made, the stability in the positioning of a hanging meat or food product is improved as well as the strength in the fastening attachments that allow these products to be positioned from hanging trees. Unlike prior closures that utilized strings for loops in order to hang products, with the present invention there is no chance of the collar coming lose or untied. Indeed, tests have shown that usually the container material will fail before the closure will separate. Previously, a knot that was not securely tied possessed a risk of coming lose and completely untying when in the food product was in the hanging position. Additionally, the string itself was subject to breakage due to the swaying motion and wear of the string loop against the hooks of metal trees.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, a package assembly is provided which comprises a food casing or netting package, which is filled with a meat or other food product, the bag having a neck with an open end for access to the bag contents, a collar molded around the neck and compressing the neck into a closed condition and an outwardly projecting member that protrudes from the collar and allows for the enclosed food product to be maintained in a hanging position. A compression apparatus may be used to form the collar around the neck of the food casing or netting package. The apparatus is formed in two die pieces with mateable elements where each separate piece has engaging recesses. The apparatus has inclined edges in order to guide the neck of the food casing or netting package into a socket of the apparatus. The recess element of one piece of the apparatus is longer than the mating element of the other piece so that once the two pieces are engaged with each around the food casing or netting package material, an annular cavity zone or socket is formed. Molten material is then injected through an inlet port of the apparatus and fills the annular cavity or socket formed between the apparatus and the compressed neck of the bag. This molten material then cools in order to result in a hardened collar for closing the neck of the bag carrying the packaged material. The resulting collar has an outer diameter and an inner surface located at some distance from the outer diameter that is integrally connected to the bag so that there are no void spaces between the inner surface of the collar and the food casing or netting package.

[0013] Alternative die elements may be used to form an outwardly projecting member that protrudes from the collar. Such die elements allow for a variety of shapes to extend from the collar. These include loops and handles of different varieties. Additionally, the die elements can be varied in order to change the shape of the closure device. The collar may be a cylindrical body with an annular flange extending therefrom, a semi toroidal shape, or sealed at its outward end across the open neck of the flexible container.

[0014] According to a further aspect of the invention, a method of making a collar enclosing a flexible container is provided, which comprises the steps of compressing at least one end of the flexible container by use of an apparatus that forms an annular channel or socket around the periphery of the flexible container and then injecting molten thermoplastic material into the annular channel formed around the periphery of the flexible container in order to mold the material into a hardened collar. The step of compressing the open end of the flexible container comprises mating first and second dies each having a recess whereby the guide of one die piece fits into the mateable recess of the second die piece, and once the two die pieces are engaged with each other, the neck of the flexible container is contained between the die pieces in a compressed position. The apparatus contains an inlet port for introduction of molten thermoplastic material into the annular cavity or socket so that the molten material fills the entire channel and then hardens into a collar that encloses the entire flexible container. The amount of compression force is so high that it both compresses the neck of the flexible container but also maintains the compressed position until molten material is positioned and hardens. If desired, the die elements may contain a mold that allows the thermoplastic material to be formed in the shape of a continuous collar with outwardly projecting member that protrudes from the collar. The projecting member may be of the shape of a loop or handle. The loop may be formed of larger dimensions in order to allow for ease of carrying a product. Also, the protrusion may an “L” shaped loop that simplifies dropping the loop over the bracket hook for hanging products. The collar of the closure device may also be formed of different shapes. The collar may be a cylindrical body with an annular flange extending outwardly therefrom, or semi toroidal shaped, or sealed at its outward end across the open neck of the flexible container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like parts and in which:

[0016]FIG. 1 shows the neck of a product containing bag with a collar according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention molded into place;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a similar view showing a hanging or handle elemen protruding from the collar;

[0018]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the separated die elements for forming the collar of FIG. 1;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

[0020]FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, with the die elements joined;

[0021]FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

[0022]FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5, showing the neck of the bag compressed in the die and the collar molded in place;

[0023]FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 6, illustrating an alternative die structure used to form a hanging projection of handle to the collar;

[0024]FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the assembled die of FIG. 8.

[0025]FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 10-10 of FIG. 1;

[0026]FIG. 11 is a view of a closure device of a semi toroidal shape;

[0027]FIG. 12 is a view of a closure device with a cylindrical body with an annnular flange extending therefrom; and

[0028]FIG. 13 is a view of capped closure device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029]FIG. 1 is a basic embodiment of the present closure invention. The flexible container 11 is made of a tubular flexible material 12 which has an open end 13. A portion of the material 12 adjacent the open end 13 is collected and compressed into a neck 15 and closed with a collar 10 molded into place around the neck 15.

[0030]FIG. 2 illustrates the invention with a handle or hanging projection 14 extending from the collar 10. This handle or hanging projection 14 may be attached to any hanging apparatus (not shown) in order to maintain an enclosed food product in a hanging position. Alternatively, the handle or hanging projection 14 can be dimensioned for the handle 14 to be carried by hand for ease in transportation and handling of an enclosed meat product by a person.

[0031] FIGS. 3 to 7 illustrate successive steps in a method of forming the closure of FIGS. 1 and 2 using a die apparatus. FIG. 3 is a top plan view of separated die elements 32, 34 for forming the collar 10 of FIG. 1. The separate die elements 32, 34 are used for imparting a desired annular shape or channel around the neck of the flexible container 11. The two die elements 32, 34 are mateable pieces wherein the first edge 22 of one piece 32 is inclined and serves to guide the neck of the bag 12 into a socket 24. When the two die pieces 32, 34 are fully engaged, the end faces 18 of the die elements will be in face-to-face engagement, as illustrated in dotted outline 19 in FIG. 3. The engagement of the die pieces 32, 34 creates a mold cavity 24 into which molten material can be injected to form the collar 10 by which the flexible container 11 is compressed at a high force.

[0032]FIG. 4 illustrates the apparatus 16 when it is in the unengaged or open position. An inlet port 26 is contained within die element 32. FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, with the die elements 32, 34 engaged and closed.

[0033]FIG. 6 illustrates the annular cavity 24 once the two die elements 32, 34 have been engaged with each other. The recesses formed by the engagement of the die elements 32, 34 creates an annular cavity 24 so that the injection of molten material may generate a hardened collar. When the two die elements 32, 34 are engaged the flexible container 11 has been compressed, the molten material is injected via the inlet port 26. The flexible container 11 is maintained in the compressed position for an appropriate amount of time so that the molten material may flow around the entire annular cavity or socket 24 and then harden into the collar 10. The material also may penetrate into the folds or crevices of the flexible container 11, which is normally desirable in that it provides an even stronger closure.

[0034]FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5, showing the neck 15 of the bag 12 clamped between the two dies 32, 34 and the collar 10 molded into place. The two die members come together with such a great amount of force that the compression force minimizes the size of the neck 15 of the flexible container 11. Once the flexible container 11 has been compressed into the appropriate shape, molten material is injected via an inlet port 26 in order to form a hardened collar enclosing the flexible container 11. Different dies may be used to form projecting members that protrude from the collar.

[0035]FIGS. 8 and 9 are views similar to FIGS. 6 and 3 illustrating an alternative die structure 36, 38 for forming a handle or hanging projection 14 extending from the collar 10.

[0036]FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the assembled die 36 of FIG. 8. The die is comprised of two separate elements 36, 38 that engage with each other to form the socket 24 in an identical manner to the dies 32, 34 of FIGS. 3 to 7, and additionally form an oval shaped cavity 40 which intersects cavity 24. As in the previous arrangement, an inlet port 26 will be provided through one of the dies into cavity 24. The two die elements 36, 38 are engaged around the neck of a flexible container exactly as described above in connection with FIGS. 3 to 7. Sufficient molten material is then injected into the die elements to fill both cavities 24 and 40. Thus injected molten material flows through the die to form different shaped collars that include the various projections.

[0037]FIG. 10 illustrates in cross section what the molded collar 10 looks like when molded to the flexible container 11. There is an outer diameter formed by the molded collar, but the inner surface of the collar is molded directly onto the container 11 to virtually eliminate any void spaces between the inner surface of the collar 10 and the flexible container 11. As noted above, the collar material may penetrate into the folds and crevices of the flexible container as well as encircling it.

[0038]FIG. 11, 12 and 13 are views of alternative closure devices. FIG. 11 illustrates a closure device of a semi toridal shape 42. The shape is formed by bisecting a torus on its mid-plane. FIG. 12 is a closure device that comprises a cylindrical body with an annular flange 44 extending outwardly therefrom. The flange can be easily grabbed and sheared off by automatic equipment. Finally, FIG. 13 illustrates a closure where the flexible container is encased by the molded closure 46. This closure may be of a variety of shapes including circular, square, cylindrical, etc. The important aspect of this closure is that the flexible container 11 is sealed off at an open end but the end of the flexible container 11 does not extend through the molded closure 46. Instead, the molded closure 46 is capped.

[0039] Depending on the desired product that is to be contained within the bag, the material of the flexible container may change. The material used must be flexible and able to be gathered tightly into a compressed neck. Broadly defined, appropriate materials can be plastic bags, paper bags, nettings or food casing type materials. Nettings includes jersey material, open mesh netting, polyester, cotton, extruded plastic, woven fabric, and open mesh materials. Food casings include fibrous casing, cellulose casing, plastic casing, and collagen casing. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that this list is not exhaustive and instead merely representative of certain appropriate materials.

[0040] Additionally, the materials that can be used to form the collar must also be of a selected group. This group can be one of almost any injectable thermoplastic polymeric material of which there are numerous commercially viable alternatives. Some examples of appropriate types of materials includes polyethylene, polypropylene, and nylon. Those skilled in the art will recognize that in any application where the closure is molded onto a flexible container that comes in contact with a food product, the polymeric material must be one that is able to come into contact with the food product and not cause any harmful effect on humans. Additionally, one skilled in the art will recognize that the above mentioned list of materials is not exhaustive and merely representative of appropriate materials.

[0041] Although an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been described above by way of example only, it will be understood by those skilled in the field that modifications may be made to the disclosed embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims. 

I claim:
 1. A closure device attached to at least one end of a flexible container that is open, comprising: a molded in place generally annular collar for encircling a compressed neck of the flexible container and for closing the open end of the neck, the collar having an outer diameter and an inner surface located a distance from the outer diameter that is integrally connected to the bag to substantially eliminate void spaces between the inner surface of the closure and the flexible container; wherein the collar is contained around the flexible container collar and is formed of a flowable, thermoplastic material that is contained directly on the compressed neck of the flexible container.
 2. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an outwardly projecting member that protrudes from the outer diameter of the collar.
 3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the collar is continuous in shape.
 4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the collar comprises a cylindrical body with an annular flange extending outwardly therefrom.
 5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the collar has a semi toroidal shape.
 6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the collar is sealed at its outward end across the open neck of the flexible container.
 7. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the projecting member is a continuous loop or handle.
 8. A closure device attached to at least one end of a flexible container that is open and that encloses any product, comprising: a molded in place collar for encircling a neck of the flexible container and closing the open end of the neck; and an outwardly projecting member that protrudes from the collar; wherein the collar is formed of a flowable, thermoplastic material that is contained directly on the compressed neck of the bag and is integrally connected with the bag.
 9. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the collar is ring shaped and comprises a molded loop.
 10. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the collar has an outer diameter and an inner surface located a distance from the outer diameter that is integrally connected to the bag such that there any void spaces are substantially eliminated between the inner surface of the collar and the flexible container.
 11. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the projecting member is a continuous loop or handle.
 12. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the collar comprises a cylindrical body with an annular flange extending outwardly therefrom.
 13. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the collar has a semi toroidal shape.
 14. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the collar is sealed at its outward end across the open neck of the flexible container.
 15. A closure device attached to a food casing or netting package that is open at one end and that encloses food products, comprising: a molded in place collar for encircling a neck of a food casing or netting package and closing the open end of the neck, the collar is contained around the food casing or netting package that is compressed to form the neck; and an outwardly projecting member that protrudes from the collar and allows the enclosed food product to be maintained in a hanging position; wherein the collar is formed of a flowable, thermoplastic material that is contained directly on the compressed neck of the bag and integrally connected with the bag.
 16. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the collar is continuous in shape and has an outer diameter.
 17. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the collar has an inner surface located at a distance from the outer diameter that is integrally connected to the bag to substantially eliminate void spaces between the inner surface of the collar and the flexible container.
 18. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the projecting member is a continuous loop or handle.
 19. A method of making a collar enclosing a flexible container, comprising the steps of: compressing at least one open end of the flexible container by use of an apparatus that forms an annular channel or socket around the periphery of the flexible container; and injecting a molten thermoplastic material into the annular channel formed around the periphery of the flexible container in order to allow the material to harden into place.
 20. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the step of compressing at least one open end of the flexible container comprises mating first and second dies each having a recess whereby the guide of one die piece fits into the mateable recess of the second die piece, and once the two die pieces are engaged with each other, the neck of the flexible container is contained between the die pieces in a compressed position.
 21. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the apparatus contains an inlet port for introduction of molten thermoplastic material into the annular cavity or socket so that the molten material fills the entire channel and then hardens into a collar that encloses the entire flexible container.
 22. The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the die elements additionally contain a mold that forms a outwardly projecting member that protrudes from the collar when the molten thermoplastic material is introduced through the inlet port.
 23. The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the projecting member is a loop or handle.
 24. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the collar comprises a cylindrical body with an annular flange extending outwardly therefrom.
 25. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the collar has a semi toroidal shape.
 26. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the collar is sealed at its outward end across the neck of the flexible container domed protrusion.
 27. A method of enclosing a flexible bag that contains a food product, comprising the steps of: placing the food product into the flexible bag so that it entirely encloses the food product; compressing an open end of the flexible bag with an apparatus that forms a molded ring in an annular channel in a neck around the periphery of the bag; and injecting molten thermoplastic material into the annular channel formed around the periphery of the flexible bag in order to mold the material into a hardened loop directly onto the compressed neck of the bag.
 28. The method as claimed in claim 27, wherein the step of compressing the bag comprises mating first and second dies each having a recess whereby the guide of one die piece fits into the mateable recess of the second die piece and once the two die pieces are engaged with each other, the neck of the casing bag is contained between the die pieces in a compressed position and a channel surrounding the neck of the bag is formed.
 29. The method as claimed in claim 27, wherein the step of injecting molten thermoplastic material into the annular channel formed around the periphery of the net casing comprises the steps of filling the channel with molten material that hardens, after some time interval, into a hardened plastic material via an inlet port contained on the apparatus such that the entire channel may be filled with molten material from introduction into the inlet port and then flowing entirely around the compressed neck of the mandrel net bag so that a uniform hardened collar is formed onto the compressed neck of the bag.
 30. A packaging assembly, comprising: a bag or a tube to make a bag containing a product to be packaged and having a neck with an open end for access to the product; a collar molded around the neck and compressing the neck to close the open end of the bag; and an attachment projecting from the collar for suspending or carrying the bag and contents.
 31. A closure device attached to an open end of a flexible container that is open, comprising: a molded in place capped lid for entirely containing a compressed neck of a flexible container and for closing the open end of the flexible container; wherein the capped closure is contained around the flexible container end and is formed of a flowable, thermoplastic material that is contained directly on the compressed neck of the flexible container and wherein the flowable thermoplastic material entirely fills the voids of the flexible container. 